Chapter 100: Explosion of Public Opinion

As the competition drew to a close, the media launched into their own celebration. There was so much to write about tonight, so many highlights, that they felt blessed with the delightful burden of choice.

The renowned publication "Voice of Music" was the first to release an exclusive commentary, which was instantly picked up and shared across multiple platforms. Their article, "A Review of the First Round of 'The Singer'," offered an objective recap of the previous two episodes. In summary: the first episode was a cautious trial, birthing the phenomenal dark horse Lin Qihua; the second episode was ablaze with energy, a garden in full bloom, where the dark horse shed his colors to reveal golden brilliance.

In the opening round, all contestants faced their first battle and were still acclimating. Their performances were generally steady, with Wang Yalin prevailing thanks to her years of accumulated popularity and the weight of high expectations. Zhang Yuxian and Wen Weizhe stumbled, landing in the elimination zone and forcing themselves into dire straits. The biggest surprise was the sudden rise of Lin Qihua, whose rendition of "Once You" moved countless viewers to tears, particularly those who had pursued dreams only to return to quiet, ordinary lives. The power of nostalgia propelled his explosive debut, immortalized the first classic on "The Singer" stage, and brought him great fame, leaving the audience eager for his next performance.

In the second episode, everyone entered the fray with full force. The performances were splendid, flawless, and the outcome was well within reason. Zhang Yuxian delivered a stunning breakout, securing third place. Wen Weizhe displayed the finesse of a veteran but lacked a touch of passion and innovation, and ended up sixth, eliminated. Though the result was not a true reflection of his ability, a mix of luck and skill dictated his quiet departure—regrettable but acceptable.

Lin Qihua, whose performance was highly anticipated, unexpectedly chose to compete with the love song "Back to the Past," reportedly a last-minute change. The production team was skeptical of the outcome. Yet, Lin Qihua transformed the song into something extraordinary, showcasing his signature "piano and flute duet." The pairing of talented man and graceful woman sparked endless imagination. The song, perfectly suited for piano, brimmed with loneliness and longing, tinged with determination—a farewell to the past and a hope for the future—an exceptional work. On its own, it might not have clinched the night's championship amidst such dazzling competition, but the breathtaking stage and special effects—the pink rose snow—captured the hearts of the audience, moved them deeply. Even I felt the urge to learn piano and play a piece for my wife. Thus, Lin Qihua succeeded, evolving from a dark horse to a true contender, and now inspires new expectations: What will he bring next?

Finally, the writer scored the seven contestants across the two episodes:
Wang Yalin: eight points. A capable singer with steady performance. The second episode was better, but still lacked amazement—perhaps expectations were too high. Eight points.
Lu Zhixuan: eight points. Average in the first episode, breakout in the second. Steady improvement but lacking freshness—hoping for change. Eight points.
Guan Shengjie: seven points. His ability is as expected; unable to overshadow the veterans, which is normal, but failing to surpass the younger talents is worth pondering. Supported by his hosting skills. Seven points.
Cai Yuting: six points. Much anticipated, but somewhat disappointing. Performing first was no excuse; perhaps her dance specialty doesn’t suit this stage, but comparison is inevitable. Six points.
Wen Weizhe: six points. His elimination wasn’t his fault—just luck. In terms of ability, he deserves seven, but facing two dark horses, he ends with six.
Zhang Yuxian: seven points. Off-form in the first episode, explosive in the second. Not exactly a dark horse, as she’s already the best newcomer from Treasure Island. Seven points for both episodes.
Lin Qihua: eight points. The biggest surprise of this season—a super dark horse. Stunning debut, indirectly pushing Wen Weizhe out. Even more impressive in the second episode, deservedly surpassing the veterans to take the crown. Outstanding talent and charisma, excellent reputation, and high expectations for the future. Room for growth remains, especially in vocal technique. Eight points.

The commentary from "Voice of Music" was highly objective and gained widespread recognition from industry peers, leading to extensive reposts. Overnight, it reached over twenty million hits, and by the next day, numbers soared past a hundred million. Over the week, the figures continued to rise, reaffirming "Voice of Music" as a leading professional media outlet.

"Entertainment Vanguard" provided a detailed analysis of each performance, lavishly praised the singers, and described Lin Qihua as a catfish stirring up the stage of "The Singer," igniting the contestants' competitive spirits and contributing to the show's explosive second episode. Every performance was a classic, and the audience enjoyed a true musical feast. Their praise for Lin Qihua was unending.

Who knew a love song could be played this way? So romantic, so innovative! Lin Qihua brought a huge surprise, enveloping the venue in a pink aura of love, sweetness, and romance. The perfect blend of voice, piano, and flute elevated him to the top, rightfully so, demonstrating his dedication to the stage. Thanks to his performance, anticipation is high for his next appearance—will it be rock, soaring vocals, rap, or an English song? Anything is possible.

"Red Bean Entertainment" offered a slightly sarcastic congratulations to Lin Qihua on his victory, kindly reminding that a singer's worth lies not in momentary success but in the ability to produce enduring classics and earn lasting recognition.

Their commentary was mocked by netizens as unnecessarily coy and counterproductive.

Likewise, media outlets such as "Entertainment Starry Sky" and "Music Compass" devoted extensive coverage, meticulously analyzing every aspect of the competition, providing the audience with the most comprehensive and authoritative reviews—a veritable media feast.

Will this be a repeat of the second season of "The Singer"? Will this season become another phenomenon? If so, who will be the next Gao Jun? Who will leave in silence? The media posed these questions, fueling endless speculation and once again pushing "The Singer" into the spotlight. It is certain that in the coming week, these topics will continue to ferment, remaining the focus of media and online discussion.

As for Lian Yuling’s appearance, the media was conspicuously silent. Some eager newcomers drafted reports, only to have them rejected by their superiors, who instructed them to quietly delete all related coverage.